United fans head for Rome

MANCHESTER Airport resembled match day at Old Trafford as thousands of United fans flew out to Rome for the Champions League Final. Up to 5,000 fans were expected to pass through the airport on Tuesday with more jetting out on the day of the historic tie against Barcelona.

"We have 11 flights in total heading for Rome today," said a spokesman for Manchester Airport.

"The first flight took off at 6.45am and the last one to Rome leaves at 19.10pm.

"The airport looked much busier than usual this morning and the atmosphere among supporters seemed very positive.

"Today was busy with flights to Rome leaving from all terminals, but we're anticipating an even bigger day tomorrow."

With booze banned around the Stadio Olimpico and railway stations in the Italian capital tomorrow, United fans enjoyed at least one for the road in the Manchester Airport bars, which were open from 6am.

Italian soccer fans cheered United strikers Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as they arrived in Rome with their United team-mates.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team is bidding to be the first team to successfully defend Europe's top club title since the creation of the Champions League in 1992.

A victory for the Premier League champions would also take United's tally of European titles to four, with three of them achieved during Ferguson's reign.

Also jetting out from Manchester Airport were the United WAGs who will be cheering on their partners in Rome.

Coleen Rooney, Sandra Evra and Lisa Carrick were among those boarding a plane to support their husbands in the final.

A major security operation is under way in Rome in advance of the big game.

An estimated 30,000 Manchester United supporters are expected to travel to the Italian capital ahead of the clash with Barcelona.

The authorities in Rome are bracing themselves for a similar number of Spanish fans, with fears that up to 5,000 ticketless supporters could lead to trouble before kick-off at the Stadio Olimpico.

There are also fears about possible antagonism from local Italian fans towards visiting supporters. In a bid to avoid incidents, city officials have banned the sale of alcohol around the stadium and in airports and stations from tonight until Thursday morning.

Rome's mayor Gianni Alemanno said several hundred visiting fans without tickets or with false tickets could present problems.

"Our biggest worry will be the 5,000 fans without a ticket or with false tickets," he said.

He added: "I have asked (interior) minister Roberto Maroni to have maximum attention from the security officers to avoid any incidents.

"I want to thank them in advance for the work they will carry out. "To prevent any incidents we have spoken to Rome football fans and asked them to show maximum solidarity."